Leicester and Munich prepare cities for a desirable year 2050
Energie-Cités bakes fortune cookies for the Copenhagen negotiators:
10 inspiring local policies for 10 days of the Summit.
Proven and successful local experiences in climate and energy matters are the best support the EU negotiators can get in Copenhagen. That is why Energie-Cités, with 20 years of experience in sustainable energy policy, has prepared 10 electronic fortune cookies to inspire the decision-makers during the Climate Summit COP 15.
The two strategies of Leicester City
The Energy Strategy
The City of Leicester, in Great Britain, has long held a key role in reducing _ carbon dioxide emissions. Leicester Energy Strategy was produced in 1994 which addressed both energy supply and demand. In 2003, Leicester Partnership and Leicester Environment Partnership, in conjunction with
 Leicester City Council, produced a Climate Change Strategy for the City. This includes a target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 50% by 2025 based on 1990 levels. It is designed to complement Leicester’s Environment Strategy, which sets out 7 key areas for action: raising awareness, pollution, transport, resource efficiency, waste, biological diversity and green space. Leicester City Council
is one of a select group of local authorities in the UK to subscribe to EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme). The Council also has an ambitious target to increase its use of renewable energy from
0% to 20% by 2020. Community initiatives that promote sustainability within the City include “cycle-city”, “bikes-for-all”, home energy efficiency grant schemes, park-and-ride, recycling facilities,
energy advice for homes and businesses, and promotion of Fair Trade produce. In 2005, Leicester City Council was awarded Beacon Status for Sustainable Energy, giving the city national recognition
for the excellent progress we have made. However, Leicester also recognised the need for a coherent Climate Change Action Plan, and in 2007, the Plan was accepted by the Cabinet of Leicester City
Council. Leicester’s Climate Change – What’s Your Plan Forum has been established to help drive forward this action plan.
One Leicester: a strategy for a more sustainable town
Leicester partnership in consultation with a wide range of people and organizations across the city had create a document called "One Leicester". This ambiitious document describes their strategy for transforming Leicester, in the next 25 years, into Britain’s sustainable city in the 25 five next years. improving economic, social and environmental wellbeing across Leicester as well as contributing to sustainable development in the UK.
Serving the citizens…towards a more sustainable city
 Munich, the capital of Bavaria, create in 1998 « The Munich Perspective », an urban strategy that defines main directions and ambitions of the City of Munich in the field of urban planning.
Objective of the urban planning strategy
It is based on the idea that it is necessary to pursue a sustainable policy of urban development. Munich should aspire to become a city that embraces a social and cultural diversity, where tolerance is being systematically sought, where a wide range of economic opportunities is offered and where creativity can be easily expressed. While following these principles, it is also necessary to emphasize the need for a density and population mix, as well as the preservation and further development of green spaces.
The main elements of the strategy are:
- Social and cultural diversity
- Employment and economic prosperity
- Creativity
- Preservation of green spaces
Beyond the urban planning in the strict sense, it is also interesting to share different initiatives that were presented in the framework of the « Future: Munich » fair exhibition. Its latest edition was held in June 2008. On this occasion, the Department for Urban Planning presented some strategies, which aim is to prevent climate change and encourage citizens to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.
Here are some examples of initiatives presented during the exhibition:
- Bio-City Munich: programme that encourages the sale and consumption of organic products, especially in schools and during events organized by the municipality;
- Protection of Bio-Diversity: programme aimed at taking into account the notion of biodiversity in urban policies. A fundamental belief is that the nature and the city should not necessarily be seen as two opposing elements;
- Munich Lifeguide: an online information service designed to promote an ecological lifestyle. It provides an advice on how to reduce water and energy consumption;
- BenE: a new educational network for sustainable development. In 2007, various institutes and schools came together to integrate sustainability concepts into their educational approach;
- Bauzentrum (Building Centre): an information centre that helps citizens of Munich to save energy in their buildings by providing information on how to obtain a financial support from the city. The centre also organizes trainings for professionals, such as urban planners and building engineers;
- Munich Climate Protection Alliance: the City of Munich has established this partnership forum in order to discuss together on the issue of energy for the future. The Alliance is composed of politicians, traders, representatives of the academic environment and the industry.
To go further
http://www.energie-cites.eu/db/leic...
http://www.oneleicester.com/one-lei...
http://www.energie-cites.eu/db/munich_578_fr.pdf (in french)
http://www.wupperinst.org/uploads/t...
Energie-Cités Info n°37
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